PM refuses Jagmohan's head to Mayawati

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Tuesday rejected Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati's demand for Union Tourism Minister Jagmohan's resignation in connection with the controversial Taj Heritage Corridor project.

"I have confidence in him," Vajpayee told a Bharatiya Janata Party Parliamentary Party meeting in New Delhi, "and there is no question of his resignation."

The PM said he received a letter from Mayawati alleging Jagmohan was in 'collusion with her rivals' to destabilise her, and demanding his resignation.

Mayawati also spoke to Vajpayee on telephone, BJP spokesperson V K Malhotra said.

Mayawati, however, has assured the PM the BJP-Bahujam Samaj Party coalition in Uttar Pradesh would run its full term and her party would continue to support the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government at the Centre.

Vajpayee asked the BSP not to raise the issue in Parliament, Malhotra said.